Shah Alam, Malaysia, January 15: Darren Clarke's Team Europe lead 4½ - 1½ after winning four of Friday's Fourball matches, with Asia taking one and the other ending all square at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

Bernd Wiesberger and Ian Poulter, one of the star performers in Europe’s recent Ryder Cup victories, put the visitors' first point on the board after defeating Anirban Lahiri and Jeunghun Wang 4 & 3 in the top match.

Europe did not have to wait long for their second point, with Ross Fisher and Kristoffer Broberg posting a comfortable 6 & 4 victory over Prayad Marksaeng and K.T. Kim in match four as a wave of blue scores dominated the early scoreboard.

Team Asia, led by captain Jeev Milkha Singh, fought back to take their first point shortly after when Byeonghun An and Thongchai Jaidee, the team’s highest world ranked players, completed a stunning turnaround to defeat Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick 3 & 1.

Europe made it 3-1 when Shane Lowry and Andy Sullivan beat Wu Ashun and Shingo Katayama 2 & 1 before Søren Kjeldsen and Victor Dubuisson, who was struggling with a knee injury on the back nine, halved their match with home favourites Danny Chia and Nicholas Fung in what was the most thrilling encounter.

Lee Westwood and Chris Wood then beat Kiradech Aphibarnrat and S.S.P. Chawrasia 2 & 1 in the last match to round off a successful day for Team Europe.

European captain Clarke was thrilled with his team's start in the EurAsia Cup, which ended in a tantalizing 10-10 tie two years ago. He said: "It's a wonderful start for Europe. There were a lot of matches there where it could have swung either way on the back nine.

"Halfway round, Europe were leading in all the matches. I was on the radio to a few of the other guys and said, ‘this is match play, Asia are going to come back at some stage on the back nine, and that's exactly what they did.’

"We had a strong couple matches and managed to finish with a very good result."

Singh, a former two-time Asian Tour number one, was delighted with the team’s lone win from An and Thongchai and the half point from battling local heroes Chia and Fung.

“Thinking and going back to two years ago (where Europe led 5-0 on day one), I think this year, we got 1 ½ points in the Fourball and I think that's the positive I'm looking at.

“My team played really well. They were just a little unlucky with their putts but that's what the game is all about, whoever holes them, wins. I think they are going to work pretty hard on their putting for tomorrow and the day after,” said Singh.

“An and Thongchai, the way they came back on the back nine was fantastic to watch. I think they did an excellent job, and you know, once they won, Danny and Nicholas also had the momentum on the back nine.

“They holed a few putts, and especially after Soren Kjeldsen chipped in on the 17th, Nicholas chipped in to keep the match all-square. I was right there and enjoyed it. On 18, I think especially, the way Danny hit one of the toughest chips I can say, and he chipped it and he holed the putt, half-point there. I think both of them combined really well.”

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About Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM)

Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered on 5th August 2010 in Malaysia. As a non-profit organisation, PGM’s objectives are to promote the sport of golf and to contribute towards its enjoyment and growth as well as to conduct and/or coordinate training on golf-related courses in order to enhance the playing capabilities and hone the skills of professional golfers in Malaysia. Our ultimate goal is to produce good Malaysian Professional Golfers in time for the Olympics in 2016 and to see Malaysians in the world ranking list. The PGM Tour provides a platform for Malaysia’s professional golfers to enable them to focus on playing while PGM shoulders the responsibility of arranging and financing these tournaments. For further information, please log in to http://pgmtour.com.my

About the Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include FENIX Golf (Official Apparel Supplier), Fuji Xerox (Official Office Solutions Partner), Hilton Worldwide (Official Hotel Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Sponsor), Oakley (Official Eyewear and Footwear Sponsor), Srixon (Official Ball), Titleist (Official Web Partner) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). Sentosa, Singapore is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur. Also, visit us at www.asiantour.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf, www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf.

About The European Tour

The European Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf from the origins of the professional game, building a proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity as well as showcasing our diverse global talent and rich landscapes. The European Tour's innovative approach enables us to embrace the world, combining championships of tradition with new tournaments in the cities and countries of the future. The European Tour International Schedule, which from 2009 has incorporated The Race to Dubai, is a thriving global brand which, in 2015, will feature a minimum of 48 tournaments spread across five continents; the European Challenge Tour focuses on the up and coming players of the future; while the European Senior Tour provides a new start for champions celebrating their 50th birthday. The European Tour’s corporate identity features the iconic silhouette image of six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon who gives his name to The Harry Vardon Trophy, presented to the player who is crowned European Tour Number One and winner of The Race to Dubai at the end of the season.